Janice Small: Why Conservatives should vote ‘Yes’ to the Alternative Vote

Janice Small is director of Conservative Action for Electoral Reform and fought the key marginal of Batley and Spen at the general election, gaining an additional 5,000 votes.

In the tribal world of party politics, MPs and party members are often wary of any change tabled by their opponents. It is no surprise, then, that voters and politicians alike have struggled to come to terms with the Coalition’s promised referendum on the Alternative Vote.

This unease is rooted in history. Most Conservatives will remember New Labour’s promise to look at a more proportional voting system in their 1997 manifesto. Back then, it was seen as a way of sidelining the Conservatives and strengthening the Lib-Lab bloc. The issue, like so many others, was ultimately kicked into the long grass, but it left Conservatives with a lasting suspicion of voting reform.  A suspicion that is, in fact, unfounded.  The 1867 change in the voting system was widely hailed at the time as a ‘leap in the dark’ and a ‘conservative surrender’.  However, the act arguably cemented Tory party dominance throughout the early 20th century.

The Alternative Vote (AV) is a different kettle of fish. It would not profoundly change the ‘shape’ of our election results, but rather the strength of our MPs’ mandates. It is a much needed upgrade to ‘First Past the Post’ – not a step into the uncharted territory of proportional representation.

Many Conservatives acknowledge the need for voting reform of some kind. Accountability and transparency are modern conservative values, which ensure that the marketplace of ideas functions effectively. But while some reforms, including open primaries, recall votes, and local referendums, have gained currency in Conservative circles – and I am a big supporter of Douglas Carswell and Dan Hannan as two of the greatest thinkers in our party for putting these ideas forward – there is still a fear that the Alternative Vote will benefit the left-leaning parties.

Janice Small: Britain needs to take back control of its energy

Janice Small, a press and marketing consultant and member of the candidates list, says foreign energy companies such as EDF are making money out of British consumers and pensioners whilst getting subsidies from the French Government.

In light of the recent hikes in energy prices, let’s take a look at who owns the energy companies supplying the UK and who is profiteering from our misery and why OGFEM is a toothless beast and should be scrapped because an energy cartel is alive and well in the UK, fleecing us, the consumers.

Facing accusations of operating a price fixing cartel, Britain's six biggest energy companies (British Gas, Scottish & Southern Energy, EDF, E.ON, Scottish & Npower) agreed to disclose the minutes of its board meetings which are held every two months following OFGEM's investigation into price rises which started in January.  All have denied that they discuss the pricing or product strategies at these meetings.  The allegations followed the raising of prices by Npower, EDF and British Gas within two weeks of one another - a classic sign of 'price fixing'.  There are concerns that under the auspices of Energy Retail Association meetings, members agreed on matters such as price fixing through the raising and lowering of tariffs within weeks of one another.   

Janice Small: Why November 1st was cancelled

Janice Small, a candidate on the Parliamentary and European Lists, reveals research that just 8,000 voters in marginal seats could have handed power to the Conservatives on November 1st. Janice heads up Conservative Action for Electoral Reform which campaigns for Single Transferable Voting.

Research from Conservative Action for Electoral Reform has revealed just how few votes were required to swing the general election from Labour to the Tories. A combination of our winner takes all system and new parliamentary boundaries, mean that a mere 8,000 votes could have delivered a new government in Britain.

This week we have been focussing on Bottler Brown’s loss of nerve, on an election that never was. And if these numbers show one thing it is that this country simply did not need another unreconstructed election.

We called on Brown to call an election because a new government needs a mandate. But a mandate delivered by 8,000 people in the swing seats is no mandate at all.

Janice Small's tribute to Christine Bedier

Approved candidate Janice Small pays tribute to Christine Bedier.

"Sadly, Christine Bedier, former campaign director for Kent, died on Sunday at home with her family.  Christine was a good friend and great Party woman.  She will be missed by those who really believe in a Conservative agenda.  She used to say to me, "Janice, he/she is one of us" when  I had a tricky issue in my former role as regional press officer and was always a great support.  You may not have liked what Christine had to say but more often than not her judgement was correct.

Christine could always be relied upon to give objective views and offer support and advice to young and old in the Party.  She was a font of knowledge historically and had great political instinct.  She became an agent in Dover when women did not take on such roles and subsequently worked in Scotland and London and finally in Kent for the past 3 years.

My friend is remembered by David Cameron:

"The Conservative Party lost one of our most valued campaigners and friends, Christine Bedier, after a short battle with cancer.  Christine was incredibly dedicated to the Party, delivering unstinting hard work and loyalty through good times and bad, always working with a single-minded determination to win and, above all, with a great sense of humour and cheerfulness.  Our thoughts are with Albert and her family."

Funeral arrangements are yet to be advised.  I will miss Christine."

Related link: David Canzini's tribute to Christine Bedier on Iain Dale's Diary.